Thumbnail Image

Kerala Agricultural University, Thrissur

The history of agricultural education in Kerala can be traced back to the year 1896 when a scheme was evolved in the erstwhile Travancore State to train a few young men in scientific agriculture at the Demonstration Farm, Karamana, Thiruvananthapuram, presently, the Cropping Systems Research Centre under Kerala Agricultural University. Agriculture was introduced as an optional subject in the middle school classes in the State in 1922 when an Agricultural Middle School was started at Aluva, Ernakulam District. The popularity and usefulness of this school led to the starting of similar institutions at Kottarakkara and Konni in 1928 and 1931 respectively. Agriculture was later introduced as an optional subject for Intermediate Course in 1953. In 1955, the erstwhile Government of Travancore-Cochin started the Agricultural College and Research Institute at Vellayani, Thiruvananthapuram and the College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences at Mannuthy, Thrissur for imparting higher education in agricultural and veterinary sciences, respectively. These institutions were brought under the direct administrative control of the Department of Agriculture and the Department of Animal Husbandry, respectively. With the formation of Kerala State in 1956, these two colleges were affiliated to the University of Kerala. The post-graduate programmes leading to M.Sc. (Ag), M.V.Sc. and Ph.D. degrees were started in 1961, 1962 and 1965 respectively. On the recommendation of the Second National Education Commission (1964-66) headed by Dr. D.S. Kothari, the then Chairman of the University Grants Commission, one Agricultural University in each State was established. The State Agricultural Universities (SAUs) were established in India as an integral part of the National Agricultural Research System to give the much needed impetus to Agriculture Education and Research in the Country. As a result the Kerala Agricultural University (KAU) was established on 24th February 1971 by virtue of the Act 33 of 1971 and started functioning on 1st February 1972. The Kerala Agricultural University is the 15th in the series of the SAUs. In accordance with the provisions of KAU Act of 1971, the Agricultural College and Research Institute at Vellayani, and the College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, were brought under the Kerala Agricultural University. In addition, twenty one agricultural and animal husbandry research stations were also transferred to the KAU for taking up research and extension programmes on various crops, animals, birds, etc. During 2011, Kerala Agricultural University was trifurcated into Kerala Veterinary and Animal Sciences University (KVASU), Kerala University of Fisheries and Ocean Studies (KUFOS) and Kerala Agricultural University (KAU). Now the University has seven colleges (four Agriculture, one Agricultural Engineering, one Forestry, one Co-operation Banking & Management), six RARSs, seven KVKs, 15 Research Stations and 16 Research and Extension Units under the faculties of Agriculture, Agricultural Engineering and Forestry. In addition, one Academy on Climate Change Adaptation and one Institute of Agricultural Technology offering M.Sc. (Integrated) Climate Change Adaptation and Diploma in Agricultural Sciences respectively are also functioning in Kerala Agricultural University.

Browse

20091
Reset filters
Subject: Veterinary and Animal Sciences × Author: Dhanya, V Pai × End date: 2010 × Start date: 2000 × Thesis Type: M.V.Sc. ×
Reset filters

Search Results

Now showing 1 - 1 of 1
  • Thumbnail Image
    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Clinical evaluation and management of dilated cardiomyopathy in dogs
    (College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 2009) Dhanya, V Pai; KAU; Usha, Narayanan Pillai
    Eight dogs presented with clinical signs suggestive of cardiac problems and later confirmed for DCM were utilised for the detailed treatment studies. Signalment, history, electrocardiography, radiography, echocardiography, haematology, serum biochemistry and response to treatment of enalapril @ 0.5 mg/kg bid, valsartan @ 2 mg/kg bid and lasilactone @ 2mg/kg bid orally were studied. Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) was more commonly observed in middle aged dogs. The breed wise distribution of DCM indicated that Labrador Retriever was more prone to dilated cardiomyopathy (37.5 %) followed by Boxer (25 %), German shepherd (12.5 %), Spitz (12.5 %) and non - descript (12.5 %). Major clinical signs included cough (37.5 %), ascites (75 %), anorexia (75 %), polydypsia (50 %), syncope (25 %) and oedema of hind limbs (25 %). Exercise intolerance and dyspnoea were present in all cases. Mean temperature, pulse and respiration rates were within the normal range. Clinical examination revealed irregular pulse (37.5 %), weak femoral pulse (75 %) and pale mucous membrane (25 %) on the day of admission. Ascites and pulse deficit were present in 50 % and 75 % of the cases respectively. Thoracic auscultation revealed tachycardia (25 %) and pulmonary crackles (75 %). Mean heart rate was within the normal range. Sinus tachycardia (25 %), atrial fibrillation (12.5 %) and VPC (25 %) were the most common arrhythmias encountered in ECG. Ventricular pre-excitation was present in 12.5 % of the cases. All the ECG measurements were within the normal range except for a slight increase in the P wave duration indicating left atrial enlargement. Hence ECG could be used for initial diagnosis of cardiac problem. On radiographic examination major observations were generalised cardiomegaly, tracheal elevation, pulmonary congestion and pericardial effusion. Vertebral heart score showed significant increase in mean cardiac length, mean cardiac width, mean vertebral heart sizes and mean vertebral size of caudal vena cavae when compared to normal dogs. Echocardiographic four chamber view revealed left ventricular dilatation all cases. Pericardial effusion was present in 12.5 % of the cases. M–mode measurements showed reduced myocardial contractility in all cases. Fractional shortening (FS) had a mean value of 19.80 ± 1.71 %. Ejection fraction had a mean value of 43.43 ± 4.16 %. Haematobiochemical studies revealed mild anaemia with leukocytosis and neutrophilia. Anaemia might be caused by haemodilution effect due to fluid retension secondary to the activation of renin – angiotensin – aldosterone system. There was elevation of CPK value on day 1 when compared to the healthy controls which might be due to the cardiac muscle damage occurring in DCM. Treatment response was studied in six cases that survived for atleast 30 days. Clinical improvement was present in 62.5 % of the cases. Atrial fibrillation was absent on day 30 of treatment. Cough and skin rashes were the common side effects. Mean values of RBC and haemoglobin on day 30 showed a significant reduction indicating development of anemia due to direct effect of angiotensin on erythropoesis. Significant reduction in CPK on day 30 when compared to day 1 might be indicative of improvement in the coronary circulation following treatment.